Saturday, July 7, 2012

Light in the Darkness

The past few days have been like reading a book from the ending.  Yesterday 200 orphans and families from America lined the street and welcomed 48 orphans into the Tree of Life Village  with singing, dancing and shouting as 2 buses pulled into the village.  As the new children arrived they looked hopeless, scared and shocked with no understaning of what was before their eyes.  Dozens of families worked together to build 4 new, beautiful homes for these children.  Adults and children from Texas gathered up the new orphans and welomed them to their new homes.  Within hours of their arrival, all of the children were joyfully playing, coloring, running and taking in their new surroundings.  I cried tears of joy like never before. Children in this village are not familiar with things like CD's, lotion and gum.  As Allison showered a child with gifts, she did not understand these simple items.  It would be my greatest desire to raise $100,000 to build another home in this village.  Feel free to quit reading this blog now.  : )

This morning we traveled into several compounds in Lusaka (where the new schools are located) and witnessed horrific conditions.  Hundreds and hundreds of chidlren are filthy, hungry and sick while the community is full of adults who are drunk and hopeless.  One woman greeted me by telling me another woman "likes the beer".  I responded with, "I like beer too!".  Allison quickly responded in shock, "Lizzie, in Zambia, that is not really a good thing.  You shouldn't say that again."  In the same community, children were half scared and half delighted by the presence of white people.  Several jumped back in horror as I tried to shake hands or take a step in their direction.  In another community, children surrounded us and begged to have their pictures taken so they could see the photos.  We visited the "homes" of 2 girls that Allison sponsors for their education.  It was the most beautiful picture of love I have ever seen.  Allison explained to the girls (both in tears of joy) that she is here because God allowed her to visit them again (the 4th time) and that all of the presents were from Him through her.  Both girls shouted praise to the Lord and prayed with thanksgiving.  I was undone by the glorious beauty of both visits.  I now have a list of girls that the Oliphints will consider sending to school.  Education will be the only way they can end the cycle of despair.  Everyone should consider this ministry!!  One family has 12 people sleeping on a concrete/dirt floor in an 8X8 room and that  is a decent scenario in an upperclass compound. I returned to our compound in stunned, thoughtful and sad silence.  Something must be done!
The glory of what I witnessed yesterday is only magnified by today.  It has been a surreal experience seeing the hopeful outcome for the precious orphans before the dark and heartbreaking backdrop of their lives in the slums.

I am not able to post pictures on the blog very easily I  (hundreds of them!), so I will add photos when we return to the states.  Some of you can see a selection of them on Facebook. 
We start teaching on Monday in the communities of today.  I'm looking forward to meeting the beautiful children and the Zambian teachers we will be working with for a few weeks.  I will keep you posted on how that goes.

2 comments:

  1. Lizzie, I finished reading this with tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. I can't tell you how much I am enjoying this experience through you. I have to admit I am even envious - wish I were there too! I am praying for you every day that it will be an experience that changes not only you but all of us as you come back and share. My heart is full from reading what you have written. We felt this way in Mexico with the deaf children as well. It is hard to adequately convey it when you get home. Can't wait to hear how Monday goes.

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  2. I also am reading this with tears. Sad tears for all those sweet children, but then happy tears for the amazing working you all are doing there!!! Thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Praying for you all!!!

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